Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ A Matter Of Choice ❯ The Beginning of the End ( Chapter 39 )

The Beginning Of The End

 

Tegan was exhausted, her clothes heavy, but no longer quite so cold and wet, well things were only slightly better now she'd been moving a while. Torin was probably at the apartment pacing, worried about her; and her only thoughts were of home and safety in his arms. She staggered against the wall, trying to catch her breath, her chest still burning from the strain in the water. She started out once more, dizzy and unaware that she was being watched. A figure slipped out of the shadows before her and there was no doubt who it was. Tegan tensed, removing the twin blades from her belt. She silently prayed to a god she wasn't sure existed. She was going to need a miracle.

 

“Don't make this difficult Tegan. This could be all over in a few seconds.” He stated calmly.

 

“I am not giving up without a fight!” She retorted.

 

“Good. It does make it so much more interesting.” He stepped into the light with a wicked smile on his face.

 

In desperation Tegan flew at Demetriov, but he caught her arm and twisted it up behind her back, grabbing her throat with his free hand. Tegan twisted in his grip elbowing him in the ribs and trying to cut him with her free hand. Demetriov twisted away from the blow, Tegan using the momentum she had built up to wrench herself free and swipe a blade at his face. He jumped out of reach only to be tripped by his quick quarry. She jumped over Demetriov's chest as he lay winded on the floor.

 

Demetriov grabbed her leg in mid flight, pulling her crashing to the ground. She twisted in the air, trying to take the force out of the fall. She gritted her teeth against the pain as her right shoulder took the brunt of the fall. Her right hand blade clattered on the concrete. He dived for her but she scrambled to her feet. She put all her effort into one tremendous kick sending him staggering back, and falling to the ground. She seized the chance, grabbed her blade and ran for her life.

 

Suddenly she was grabbed from behind, Demetriov having grabbed her ponytail. He dragged her back, Tegan screeching. He pulled her to him as she tried to get him to release his grip. He yanked her head back, tearing hair from her scalp. She panicked as he moved for her throat, unable to strike out, crushed against him. She pushed against him, trying to make some room between them, her blades flat against his chest. He managed only to scratch the surface of her throat as she pushed him back, plunging the reverse points of the blades into his chest.

 

He released her, grunting at the pain but he was healing so quickly! He lunged at her, throwing her to the wall. He came at her again as she collapsed to the ground, but she was ready for him. She kicked out at him, her foot hammering into his groin and buying her time. She scrambled to her feet and looked around her frantically. Demetriov had melted back into the shadows. This was not over yet; he would pounce once more.

 

Picking up the dropped blades she ran, her only thought was of escape. She ran down the alley, lungs burning only to find Demetriov drop down in front of her. Unable to check her speed she crashed into him. He swung his fist into her face, pain blossoming through her. He kicked her in the stomach the left blade flying out of her hand. It became trapped behind her body as she hit the wall. She tried to recover but he quickly grabbed her by the throat, smacking her against the wall once more.

 

She tried to strike out at him but he grabbed her right arm, pinning to the wall, applying pressure to her throat. He looked at the blade in her right hand and smiled at her. She struggled to breathe, her left hand pulling at his hold on her throat.

 

“Let go of it Tegan.”

 

“No!” She spat hoarsely, struggling against him.

 

“I said, let go” His voice infuriatingly patronising.

 

She stubbornly fought to escape his grasp, ignoring him completely.

 

“All right.” He sighed. “We'll do this the hard way.”

 

He started to use his strength to exert pressure on her wrist. Pain shot through her arm, but she refused to give in, Tegan gritting her teeth and tightening her hold on the blade. Demetriov sighed and squeezed harder. A little cry of pain wrenched from her throat as he started to crush the structures in her arm. Tighter and tighter he squeezed, Tegan's grasp on the blade loosening despite her best efforts. She sagged, the pain becoming overwhelming, tears hot at the back of her eyes. He increased the pressure on her arm until her body could take no more. She screamed as both of the bones snapped with a hideous crunch. The blade clattered against the concrete, the sound being joined by her desperate sobs of pain.

 

“There.” He soothed, loosening his grip. “That wasn't so hard now was it?”

 

Tears of pain and anger rolled down her face as she refused to answer him. She sagged in his grip, the injury making her dizzy and nauseous. Demetriov found himself holding her up as she sobbed gently. He sighed.

 

“You had to do this the hard way didn't you? I never wanted to hurt you. Well no matter, it's all over now.”

 

He let go of her throat, holding her by her shoulder, still holding her up. Her open throat called to him, vulnerable and ready for him. At last he would taste the blood he had last tasted five years ago. Slowly he bent to her but she was as out of it as she seemed and the survival instinct within her flared once more. She managed to find some last reserves of strength, though from where even she could not tell. She slid her left hand to retrieve the second blade from behind her body since he wasn't holding her pinned there. The blade firmly in her grip she swung as hard as she could slamming the point into his chest. He roared in pain as the precious metal burned deep inside his body. The blade buried deep, Tegan used all of her remaining strength to drag the blade across. Ripping muscle and sinew she opened a ragged tear in his chest. He let go of her and the two collapsed to the ground, Tegan still clutching the blade tightly.

 

It took her a moment to realise he wasn't attacking, she had wounded him so badly. She had to get out of here and fast before he was up again. With a whimper she wrapped her broken limb round her waist, picking up her fallen blade. She took one last look at her fallen opponent and ran. Agonised, exhausted and close to collapse she ran for her life. To hesitate would surely mean death. Desperately she headed for home and sanctuary. She half ran, half staggered, and she knew she had to look a frightful sight to anyone that saw her, but she couldn't bring herself to care, too hurt and too desperate to think of anything but putting distance between her and Demetriov.

 

Demetriov lay on the concrete cursing himself. She had been in his grasp, but he had allowed himself to be blinded by thirst and desire. He really should have expected a counter attack, this was Tegan after all, and damn the girl had spirit, but that was exactly why he was on this hunt in the first place. Demetriov cursed as he waited for the pain to ease. Well no matter. She was weak and vulnerable. He knew he would not get a better opportunity than right now. The state he had found her in showed that she had already been through quite a bit already tonight, and had primed the situation for him. Well that little sanctuary of hers had only remained so because he had willed it that way. No more, it was going to end, and it was going to end tonight. As the pain ebbed and the wound healed he got to his feet. Taking to the rooftops he began the final stage of this hunt.

 

* * * * *

 

Tegan struggled clumsily with her keys, her right arm useless. She almost cried out with joy as her key slid home. She almost collapsed through the door, exhausted, in pain and emotionally at the edge of her reason. She slammed it shut, glad for the deadbolt locking the door tight behind her. She leant against the door, sliding down it to the floor, sobbing with agony and relief. It was also painfully obvious that from her lack of reception that Torin was not here. The feeling of being so alone right now only added to her distress, mixing with the roiling feelings within her. It took a long while, but she eventually got a hold of herself and rose to her feet, picking up the blades, not wanting to think about the traces of Demetriov's blood that still remained on them. She looked down at herself and saw her bloodstained clothes. For a moment she thought of going far away and forgetting all of this. She thought of having a normal life.

 

She half walked and half staggered into the bathroom, turning on the light. An ugly bruise was coming up on her face, the skin lightly grazed where she had been punched. Other grazes littered her form under the clothes from the friction when she'd hit the tarmac earlier too. She set the blades in the sink, turning the tap on. She opened the large medicine cabinet taking out bottles and boxes she would need. She filled a glass of water and opened a bottle of painkillers, the process painfully slow one handed leading her to eventually resort to doing it with her teeth. She poured them onto the side and slugged a couple back. She was going to need those and badly considering how things had gone. God was there any part of her that didn't hurt right now? She took a deep breath and prepared herself for the inevitable.

 

She peeled her jacket off as gently as she could, whimpering as it brushed her injured arm. Her arm was swollen and bruised, and the misalignment because of the broken bones almost made her heave. Gritting her teeth she forced herself to concentrate started to bandage and splint her arm. Tears ran down her face, her breathing harsh, biting back cries and whimpers as she shakily performed the task. Every movement was a searing bolt of pain despite the painkillers. Ever so slowly she managed to apply the splint, aware she would need to go to the emergency room during the day and get her arm properly taken care of. The splint finally finished she collapsed to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. She couldn't remember a time she had been in so much pain. She cradled her arm and rocked herself.

 

She sat there for what seemed an age until the pain ebbed to a dull, aching throb. She rose to her feet and set about cleaning her face and neck. The shallow gouges in her neck stung as she used the antiseptic, her face starting to throb. She sighed and headed to the kitchen and opened the fridge. She pulled out her medicinal bottle of bourbon. If she didn't need it now then when would she? She opened the bottle with her teeth, pouring herself a glass. She slugged it back in one go and poured another. She turned and headed back the bathroom. She paused in the bedroom as she sensed a presence, her senses now finely honed by experience. She looked to the windows, all were closed, and the front door was locked. She shook her head shrugging it off as paranoia after such a stressful night and continued to the bathroom. She bolted a couple of sedatives and the bourbon before turning off the tap and turning out the light.

 

She sat on her bed and sighed miserably. Her life expectancy at the moment seemed to be redefined from minute to minute. She ran her fingers over the shallow scratches in her throat. Both Adam and Demetriov had come too close for comfort tonight, not to mention the fall from the bridge and her now broken arm. She checked under her pillow, her uncle's silver plated knife lay under there. She felt safe here, the locks having kept her safe till now. Still if a vampire were really determined they could smash a window or break the door down. That was why she slept with the knife beneath her pillow. It helped her to feel safe and to sleep during the day. What she didn't think about and should of was that Torin was not here, and Torin had the other key.

 

She kicked off her shoes and collapsed on the bed. She thought of Torin and wondered where he was. He was probably on one of his nights at the mansion though it seemed out of pattern for him, but she was too tired to think about it properly. She wished he were here to hold her and make her feel better, she would probably cry, he would probably rave and rant about Demetriov but she wouldn't be alone. Getting a little practical she reasoned that she would see him tomorrow after she'd been to hospital. On that thought she set her alarm clock for mid morning. She yawned, the powerful sedatives starting to work, helping to mask the pain that would otherwise keep her awake. She would be thankful of the sleep to heal, god she was exhausted in so many ways right now. She collapsed back into the pillows after struggling to get under the covers. She was glad of them, wrapping them tightly round her chilled form, wondering sleepily if she would get ill after her trip in the water. But the pull of the drugs was strong and she quickly slipped off into a deep sleep.

 

* * * * *

 

Demetriov peered in through her window. He had been watching and waiting, knowing very well how he was going to get inside He made sure she was asleep before he made his move. Once sure he made his way inside the building and to the apartment door. It was at this point he pulled out the key he had retrieved from Torin earlier, not that his ex lover had been in a position to prevent him at the time. He opened the door quietly closing it behind him, the deadbolt locking it as he crossed the apartment and entered her bedroom. He stepped up to the bed and smiled. She lay in what appeared to be a peaceful sleep, despite all that had happened, but that was probably because it was too early for her to be dreaming. She seemed relaxed, even if the state was chemically induced, sighing softly in her sleep. For a moment he felt a pang of guilt. He was going to shatter that peace, but the feeling was momentary at best, smothered by the feeling of triumph he felt.

 

As he stepped closer he could see a frown covering her brow and saw her lying on her broken arm. No wonder she was frowning. He pulled back the covers and sat down beside her, lifting her and gently moving her off the painful limb. She moaned but the sedatives kept her unconscious. The furrows in her brow smoothed and her face settled into dreamless sleep. He stroked her hair gently, smiling to himself. He had longed to get close to her, to share such a moment with her for so many years now. It was so sweet to finally do so. It was a shame it was under these circumstances, it was so much more fun when she was fighting him. It had been this he had craved, the thrill of the chase, the excitement he felt when even when helpless she fought against him. No matter how much hatred burned inside her, she could never quite hide the small flame of desire he had planted within her five years ago and it was that he wished to taste. But first things first, he had the opportunity, now all he had to do was take it.

 

“Dear sweet child, how long I've waited for this.” He murmured softly. “No one is going to stop me. Not your uncle, no not even your beloved Torin. He is so alluring and passionate isn't he? But what we had is gone now. Now I will have you. I will do whatever it takes.”

 

He lifted her body into his arms, taking care with her hurt arm. He didn't want to wake her, well, not just yet at any rate. She snuggled into his body instinctively, drawn to the warmth, still so cold after earlier. He pulled her hair away from her neck, exposing the scratches Adam had made earlier and the now faded scar from the fight with Rachel. He felt saddened all of a sudden. He thought of all the things that she had been put through to bring her to this point. Why did that make him sad? It had shaped her, made her the truly remarkable being that he loved so much. He stroked her face fondly, smiling to himself. She felt so warm to the touch, and so right in his arms. Yes, and she would be in them for eternity. Not much longer to wait now.

 

He tilted her head back, baring her throat, the hunger within him flaring at the sight, despite having fed earlier before their little run in. He bent to her, baring the deadly fangs, his lips connecting to the tender flesh. He took a deep breath, almost trembling with anticipation of his triumph and bit down. Blood poured into his mouth as the two deadly points tore the tender flesh, a taste peculiar to her and so delicious. Instantly her body bucked in his arms, her eyes snapping open as her body was overwhelmed by sensation. She tried to wake, but the sedatives were effective, keeping her in a stupor. While she fought to wake she remained helpless to the assault on her, murmuring in protest. Demetriov moaned as he drank, delighting in finally having her. She was totally at his mercy, unable to shake off the sedatives in her system. She soon fell limp in his arms, weakening as he drank from her, drugged and helpless. She was full of sensations that she could make no sense of; a small cry of defiance came from her bleeding throat.

 

Demetriov chuckled still drinking, taking his time and savouring her. She fought to the last, even though she could only be partly aware of what was really happening to her. Her breathing started to become laboured, her heart rate started to slow, and he knew he had to stop or he would kill her. He drew away from her, holding her limp body to his own. She had become heavy, no strength in any of her muscles, on the very verge on consciousness. He laid her down, surrounding her with pillows. She struggled to keep her eyes open. Her eyes were glassy, unfocused, not comprehending what was happening to her.

 

He took a small knife from his belt and cut deep into his throat. He lifted her head and brought her lips to the bleeding wound. In her stupor she drank instinctively, greedily, mouth dry and thirsty from the alcohol she'd drunk. His focus totally on her he barely heard the loud bang that issued from the entrance to the apartment, so assured of his victory that nothing besides the girl latched at his throat mattered. Suddenly he was yanked away from her, Tegan falling to the bed in a heap. She fought to keep her eyes open, but in her weakened state succumbed to sleep once more. Demetriov found himself on his back staring up at Torin. Torin's left eye was swollen shut, bruises covering what flesh was visible. The open wound at his throat explained why he wasn't healing. He laughed at him cruelly.

 

“You come too late. It is done!”

 

“No!” Torin whispered in disbelief, his heart clenching in his chest.

 

“Take a look for yourself.” Demetriov laughed as he rose to his feet.

 

Torin turned from him to the sleeping Tegan, quickly sitting at her side and pulled her into his arms. He inspected the wounds in her throat, the smear of blood at the corner of her mouth. But something wasn't right. If this was the case she should be screaming in pain by now. Suddenly it dawned on him

 

“It isn't finished.” He said to Demetriov, his face pale with worry.

 

“No, but she has drunk my blood.”

 

“What will happen to her?”

 

Yes, that was the question. He knew the mechanics of the change even if Demetriov did not, and what had happened seemed impossible. Now that it was in her system the chain reaction would have started, but without the blood transfer being complete, what would happen next would be a complete unknown.

 

“I don't know. We will have to wait and see. She won't wake again.”

 

A solitary tear ran down Torin's face as she felt himself swayed by so many emotions. Anger, sorrow, regret and guilt, all of them waging war for his attention.

 

“If only I could undo what you have wrought here tonight.” He spat at Demetriov, knowing that things could not be undone and that nothing would be the same again. “I'm sorry. I've failed you.” He whispered to his lover.

 

Demetriov took one last look at them, the comatose and doll like Tegan in the arms of the broken man that had once been his lover. It was almost sad, but it was a sweet reminder of his triumph. Let him weep, let him hurt, this was his punishment and he deserved it. But there was no time to relish the feeling, the sun was rising, the curtains open the sunlight that was colouring the sky beginning to sting the vampire flesh. Demetriov turned and left without a second thought, there was little time to get to safety. Cradling his lover in his arms Torin wept, only one thing running through him now. Fear.

 

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Author's notes:

Hmm a very wordy chapter this one, and its been through one hell of an edit to get it ready for your reading pleasure. But oh dear… and so it begins. I've really gone and done it now. So just what is going to happen to her. You are going to have to wait and see. I'm mean like that *sniggers* till next time people…